Can Verstappen Maintain Dominance? How New Regulations Affect Driver Hierarchy

Red Bull Racing got off to the perfect start to the 2024 F1 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix, when Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez sealed a convincing one-two positional win at the inaugural race of the campaign.

In regard to the Dutchman, there aren’t many who would expect anything different. He – along with his team – have dominated the sport for the last couple of years, and some believe that it will take a miracle for him not to continue in the same way for some time to come.

However, there have been some changes to the sport that could potentially stop that. New regulations have been introduced that could curtail that dominance and give other drivers and teams the opportunity to challenge him. Still, will they be enough to stop Verstappen’s dominance at the top?

2024 F1 Season Should Still See Verstappen Dominate

Given the fast start that the Dutchman had at the Bahrain GP in the opening race, it would not be a surprise if the 2024 season was to be one that had a familiar outlook to those of recent memory.

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There haven’t been too many regulation changes to the technical side of things, meaning Verstappen and Red Bull Racing have been able to build on what they achieved last season without having to compromise on too much in terms of their car.

Of course, the main issues that may be faced that could compromise his dominance is in regard to the number of races that need to be completed. This year’s season is the longest ever, with a record 24 Grand Prixs on the calendar. This includes the return of the Chinese GP. The toll that competing in a hectic schedule could have an impact on the driver, but with all of the training and preparation that he will go through, it is hard to see his dominance coming to an end.

2026 Could Be When Things Change for Red Bull and Verstappen

If you like to keep up with the latest F1 news when enjoying the sport as part of a sports betting experience, you may be aware that there are several new regulations set to be introduced in 2026.

These regulations could have a significant impact on Red Bull Racing and Verstappen, as they will require a lot of changes to the cars that are used today. Essentially starting from scratch, teams could face a rather testing time in the early stages of the season.

The FIA has already revealed that cars will need to be smaller and lighter than they currently are. This could have an impact on the handling and performance of the vehicle, which could leave drivers feeling frustrated as they need to try and get to grips with new modifications.

In addition to being smaller and lighter, cars must use new power units and engines. The removal of MGU-H could also create an issue regarding the arrival of more turbo lag, making it harder for cars to handle certain corners. This could leave Verstappen and his team trying to devise new strategies, which could then potentially have an impact on the efficiency of his drive.

2025 Will Be a Busy Year for Red Bull

Although the next set of rule changes has already been outlined, teams are not allowed to try and get ahead start and begin working on them until the beginning of 2025.

No work will be allowed to be carried out regarding the development of a car for the 2026 campaign, although it is possible for teams to discuss and research their next ideas to ensure they can get to work as soon as it hits January 1, 2025.

The changes – which will impact every team on the grid – will be something that Red Bull will have to try and embrace and ensure they can master straightaway, especially if Verstappen wants to continue his dominance of the sport.

A lot can happen in F1, as we have seen with the news that Lewis Hamilton will be heading to Ferrari in 2025, so who knows what might just happen in the future regarding everyone else when they hit the tarmac. With Verstappen stating that he wants to drive for the best team that gives him a chance of winning, a move in 2026 with the new regulations in place might be on the table.